Lewis responds to Hamilton's race proposal: Ross 'is not a circus act'

John Ross was drafted to the Cincinnati Bengals to play football - not race baseball players.

After Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton challenged Ross to a 40-yard dash competition, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis made it clear that it won't be happening on his watch.

"John is not a circus act or anything," Lewis said Friday, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell. "We're good. John is a football player. Billy is a fine baseball player and a great guy....

"Hopefully one day they'll be able to meet and have a laugh about it, but I don't think either one of them need to risk their careers in some kind of race."

Hamilton's proposal stems from Ross' record-breaking 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, though the Washington product has been known for his speed throughout his football career.

Ross, the ninth overall pick in last week's draft, says Hamilton is one of about "a million people" to challenge his speed, and agreed with Lewis that a novelty race isn't high on his priority list right now.

"It would be awesome to do that and we could probably work out something later," Ross said Friday. "Right now, I'm just focused on being a Bengal. I don't know what the future holds, but if he wants to do something for the community later or for charity, that would be awesome.

"Right now, I'm just focused on being a football player."